Guide to Wide Area Networks (WAN)

When you want to connect two or more sites together so they work as one, you'll need a Wide Area Network …

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a way of securely connecting multiple business locations, either locally using Point-to-Point Ethernet (P2P) technology, or nationally using VPN. This guide will help you understand what a WAN is, how to use it, and why your business may need one.

What is a WAN?

A WAN is an IP-based network that extends over 2 or more sites. It can include everything from your internal communications structure: your computer systems, your internet and intranet, and voice. In fact, just about every aspect of a modern communications network makes up part of a WAN.

P2P networks, connectivity, or links (through the WAN) for connecting local sites

A P2P network connects sites within a radius of 45km. It provides a WAN communications path from your premises, through a carrier network such as a managed network service, to a remote network at your satellite sites. P2P lines are also known as leased lines.

With a P2P line, you don’t share your bandwidth with anyone else. This makes it faster and more consistent than a standard broadband or fibre connection. It also gives you a greater degree of security and resilience. With a P2P service you also get:

Direct fibre connections - giving you direct connectivity between your head office and local satellite offices, data centres, or warehouses

Lowest possible latency – data is delivered from one point to another quickly, and responses to user queries are almost instant

Choice of bandwidths – from 10Mbps-1.6Tbps

Ethernet VPN WANs for networks over longer distances

If your ‘satellite’ offices are dotted across the country or abroad, then you’re going to need something with more reach, which is where Ethernet VPN WANs come in.

An Ethernet VPN WAN allows you to develop interconnected hubs across much greater distances, effectively shrinking the distance between your operations so they can operate as one.

With a latency target of less than 10 milliseconds, commands are effectively real-time. This is ideal for businesses where a split-second time lag can be critical, like financial trading. Low latency is also essential for high-quality video-conferencing. You can choose the amount of bandwidth you need, from 200Kbps to 1Gbps.

It’s also future-proof – once you have the system in place it’s easy to upgrade as your business grows, adding users to the network without impacting the performance of the rest of the system.

What type of businesses can benefit from WANs?

Any business with multiple sites can benefit from a WAN – from small businesses and chains of shops through to national and international corporations.

For example, a legal firm with offices in several local towns within a 45km radius could communicate effectively between sites using a P2P network. A national car hire company that wants to connect sites beyond 45km would need a VPN WAN.

Fast and reliable, with the option of adding additional users onto the network at a later date, P2P and Ethernet VPN WAN options future-proof your business communication network, giving you room to expand while maintaining your network. And with the option of customised options specifically tailored for your needs, WAN networks let everyone within a business, including remote workers, access the same systems, data, and applications.